Schoolhouse Electric's metal signs can be used both indoors or outdoors; either way, we think they're perfect for spiffing up the home office. Made from aluminum, the signs are embossed in Portland by a 100-year-old, third-generation, family-run business.
Above: Private Sign; $20 from Schoolhouse Electric.
Above: Office Sign; $20 from Schoolhouse Electric.
Above: Arrow Sign; $20 from Schoolhouse Electric.
Jamie Rosenthal, owner of Lost & Found, brought several of these Welcome Companion Wagons to our recent Remodelista Market in LA. Designed by Laurel Consuelo Broughton of Welcome Projects, the wagons are "a curated bricolage of style and function that merge playful aesthetics with the timeless need to carry and convey," as Broughton says. All three wagons are available in store at Lost & Found; Wagon No. 3 can be found online at Creatures of Comfort.
Above: Wagon No. 3, the Welcome Wagon Cart in seafoam features a leather wrapped handle and canvas bag; $490 from Creatures of Comfort.
Above: The canvas bag has a fold over closure and doubles as a backpack with two leather straps.
Above: Wagon No. 1 is comprised of a mason’s bag on wheels with a leather strap for pulling. Contact Lost & Found to order.
Above: Wagon No. 2 is a large tote with an adjustable leather buckle; perfect for trips to the dry cleaners. Contact Lost & Found to order.
Kikki K., a stationery shop based in Sydney, Australia, has inspired us all to reorganize our work spaces. Even the detritus of everyday life can look fashionable when filed away neatly in these Scandinavian designed storage tools. For those of you want to be organized but are less excited about doing it yourself, Kikki K offers organization services as well.
Above: Kikki.K products are conveniently sorted by colors; black, blue, gray, kraft, pink, red, and white. A standard favorite is the classic white.
Above: The overall appearance of a desk with a monochrome color scheme is one of calm and supreme organization.
Above: An assortment of White and Kraft colored binders and boxes; AUD $9.95 to AUD $34.95.
Above: A Charcoal Gray Felt Cover dresses up a notebook; AUD $39.95.
We like the versatility of heavy-duty canvas storage, which is rugged enough to take on everything from towels and toys to logs and magazines. Here are ten options we like, in two categories: the freestanding basket (or bucket) and the portable tote variety.
BASKETS
Above: The Steele Square Carry Basket is available with a grey or natural leather trim; $63.65 from Steele Canvas.
Above: The Umbra Round Crunch Can is $19.99 from Gracious Home.
Above: Schoolhouse Canvas Organizers feature a reinforced black canvas base and an Oxford shirt–lined interior; $45 for the small and $80 for the large from Schoolhouse Electric.
Above: Collapsible Canvas Hamper; $16.95 from Land of Nod.
Above: A set of Beckel Hampers includes one mini (16 inches high) and one regular (24 inches); $60 at the Laundress.
TOTES
Above: The Steele Tote Bag is available in white canvas (shown) and nine other colors; prices range from $30.70 for the small to $41.85 for the large from Steele Canvas.
Above: The utilitarian Klein Standard Straight Wall Bucket is $33.25 at J. Harlen Co.
Above: Cotton Canvas Water Bucket; $30.99 from Hamilton Marine.
Above: The 20-Inch All Canvas Utility Bag features metal feet and leather handles; $39 from Hickoree's Hard Goods.
Above: The French Tote Bag is $35 from Olmay Home.
Rag rugs, traditionally woven from scraps of denim and discarded linens, have a humble appeal. On Save Haven, we spotted a more delicate version crocheted from cotton muslin—a perfect indoors project for the winter months. For step-by-step instructions, go to Purl Bee's tutorial.
Above: Create your own rags with muslin by cutting or ripping the fabric on the bias into half-inch-wide strips (Cotton Muslin Fabric; $4.48 per yard at Amazon). Image via Save Haven.
Above: As with yarn, connect the strips by crocheting them so that one strip overlaps the next. Image via Ribbons Undone.
Above: We can see this delicately textured rug in a bedroom; image via Ribbons Undone.
Located in the Melbourne suburbs of Armadale, Coin Laundry is a cafe serving coffee and "brekkie" (Aussie speak for breakfast) on the premises of a former launderette. Owners Matt Vero and Steve Rowley undertook the renovations themselves, mixing modern furniture with vintage pieces in the interior and preserving an original exposed brick wall for atmospherics. For more information, go to Coin Laundry.
Images via Melbourne Cafes Photo Blog and Facebook.
Above: The original laundry exterior is painted white with a cobalt blue door.
Above: The day's menu is displayed on a roll of kraft paper above the doorway.
Above: The ceiling is wrapped in tea towels, which provide a decorative touch while also serving as sound absorbers.
Above: An expanse of white subway tile is enlivened with an apple-green stripe.
Above: Espresso on offer all day long.
Above: Garden-picked roses adorn a wide-planked table.
Above: A wall-mounted wire frame supports a group of small vases displaying flowers.
Above: The owners attached rough-hewn shelves to the original exposed brick wall.
A sturdy laundry bag is a household essential; when not hauling laundry, it can double as storage for all sorts of items. We've rounded up a few of our favorites. (For more storage options, consult Ten Easy Pieces: Canvas Storage Containers.)
Above: A Remodelista favorite, the canvas Izola Laundry Bag; $39.
Above: The Real Simple Laundry Carry All includes a zippered pocket and a carrying strap. It measures 16 by 30 inches; $19.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond.
Above: The Schoolhouse Laundry Bag can be carried like a duffel bag and features two exterior pockets and one interior oxford-shirting pocket; $45 from Schoolhouse Electric.
Above: The Repurposed Parachute Drawstring Bag (made from vintage US Air Force parachutes) is tear-resistant, super-light, and features a leather drawstring; $45 at Killspencer.
Above: Back to basics: the Heavy Duty Canvas Duffel Bag is $11.99 at Amazon.
Garment steamers are fast displacing the traditional iron. With steamers, there is no scorching, and clothes can be "pressed" right on their hangers, a benefit for apartment dwellers who lack the space for an ironing board. Steamers can also be used to banish wrinkles from curtains or upholstery.
Above: The gold standard is the Jiffy J-2000 Residential Steamer, a powerful wand steamer; $147.99 at Amazon.
N.B.: Garment steamers are available in three common sizes: standing, semi-compact (consider the Conair GS60 Deluxe Compact Fabric Steamer; $35.99 at Amazon), and the travel-worthy handheld variety (such as the compact Rowenta DR5015 Ultra Steam Handheld Steamer; $24.99 at Amazon).
Vipp, a company that launched in 1939 with a single pedal bin (designed by founder Holger Nielsen for his wife), recently introduced an industrial-style broom and dustpan set. It is available from retail stores that carry Vipp, including San Francisco's Zinc Details.
Above: The Vipp Broom and Dustpan set is £55 from Panik Design (to find other retailers, go to Vipp).
Above: The brush has a stainless steel handle and rubber grip; the dustpan is made from aluminum.
Above: The dustpan and brush fit together neatly and can be attached to a Vipp bin with a magnetized hook.
When she's not taking pictures, Norwegian photographer Trine Thorsen occupies her time renovating an 1928 house in Norway (with the help of her boyfriend). Together, the couple designs and makes timeless furniture in their dining room workshop; they recently began offering custom-made pieces, including benches, shelving units, and wood racks. Go to Trine Thorsen for more information.
The Crown, Amersham is my go-to place to stay in the UK when I have to catch an early-morning flight out of Heathrow; it's an easy drive from London (and also happens to be the final stop on the Underground's Metropolitan line). The Crown is the lesser-known sister property to the much acclaimed Olde Bell Inn in Hurley, Berkshire (see Hotels, Lodging, Restaurants: Olde Bell Inn in England). Both offer a modern take on the traditional coaching inn of yore, reimagined by British designer Ilse Crawford. The simple, honest interiors at the Crown contribute to the authentic British feel, and the local fare—orchestrated by much-lauded chef Rosie Sykes—does not disappoint. Caveat emptor: not all the bedrooms have been refurbished, so check ahead when you book.
Above: The low-beamed, timber-framed building dates back to 1134.
Above: Crawford mixes modern British pieces (a Windsor chair by Ercol and a Fin chair by Matthew Hilton) with antique finds.
Above: Materials are simple but honest; oak tables in the dining room are laid with pewter plates.
Above: Much of the food at the Crown is served on pewter, which was commonly used in England from the 1500s to 1700s.
Above: Crawford added yellow Tolix chairs to the mix, an unexpectedly cheerful Gallic addition.
Above: Straightforward oak stools at the wood-paneled bar.
Above: Next to the hearth, a high-backed settle bench draped with Welsh wool blankets, held in place with leather straps, offers banquette seating.
Above: The original 15th-century wall finish was revealed during renovation and preserved in room number 12.
Above: A guest room is furnished with a sheepskin on a Windsor rocking chair, a Roberts Revival radio on the bedside stool, and a Bestlite wall lamp. The handwoven rush matting on the floor is from Felicity Irons' Rush Matters.
Above: A cast-iron claw-foot tub.
Above: A cobbled courtyard leads to the vegetable garden.
Felicity Irons, founder of UK company Rush Matters (and sister of actor Jeremy Irons), has given new life to the ancient art of rush working. According to Irons, a recently appointed Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, "Rush is a fantastic material; practical and durable but also beautiful. You get such fantastic colors—vibrant greens, dark browns, purples, pinks—and it's naturally aromatic." In her Bedford studio, Irons and her staff of artisans produce a variety of products, including hand-plaited floor matting, a welcome alternative to the usual sisal and sea-grass options. The company's floor matting is used by the Frick, at Winston Churchill's house at Chartwell, Kent, and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which commissioned a giant floor mat for the Anglomania Exhibit. Recently, Irons began weaving herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and thyme into her freshwater bulrush floor matting to further enhance the aromatic qualities.
Above: Irons at work on the river.
Above: English Floor Rush Matting is made to measure; starting at £150 per square meter; binding is £22 per linear meter. They also do round rugs of custom sizes and Bath Mats for £65 (rush matting actually benefits from moisture). Rush Matters ships to the US.
Above: Rush Matters makes a variety of classic bulrush baskets; go to Rush Matters to view the range and for pricing.
On the checklist for the New Year: fire safety. Here's a roundup of ideas for safeguarding your house.
Above: Spotted on Katrines Interior Blog, a DIY project that gives a fire extinguisher a new look. The Kidde Pro 2.5 Water Extinguisher is $116.30 at Amazon.
Above: Dispose of embers safely with the 5-gallon Steel Ash Bucket; $49.95 at Vermont Country Store. N.B.: Fire experts recommend that you douse the embers with water and close the can with a tight-fitting lid to deprive the ashes of oxygen.
Above: Architectural Devices' Modern Smoke Detector is $130.
Above: The Vintage Swiss Army Blanket, a blend of horsehair and wool, is naturally flame-retardant; $298 from Sundance (small fires can be extinguished with a wool blanket).
Above: The Kiddie KL-25 Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder is $53.95 from Amazon.
A witty throwback to a predigital age, the wooden clock from UK's Another Country features brass plated hands and a solid oak body. Headed by Paul de Zwert, a member of the founding team at Wallpaper, Another Country is known for its simple rustic furniture pieces; those in the know will recognize the clock's familiar peg detailing from the company's Series One collection of furniture.
Above: For a desktop or a bedside table, the Wooden Clock is made from solid oak and has aluminum hands with a brass finish; 120 mm by 140 mm, £39.
A Remodelista reader clued us in to Objects of Use, a source for well-designed tools and furniture. Formerly located in Ironbridge (the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution), Objects of Use recently relocated to Oxford, near the famed Covered Market. "We seek out international archetypes of everyday objects, often items that have been made in the same way, by the same people, for a long time," they say. "We believe that having the right tool for the job vastly improves the experience of completing our daily tasks." For more information, visit Objects of Use.
Above: Objects of Use at No. 6 Lincoln House on Market Street in Oxford.
Above: Welsh Tapestry Blankets (£150 to £180) and Striped Blankets (£160) are stacked next to an array of cleaning tools.
Above: Brooms of all shapes and sizes: small Pear Wood Dusters (£22), a narrow Furniture Brush (£32.50), and Goat Hair Vienna Brooms in white and black (£45 to £48).
Above: A White Enamel Colander (£40) hangs from the wall, with beech wood Kitchen Sieves (£20 to £22) to its right and and various Scissors on the left.
Above: A large ostrich Feather Duster (£17.50) looks out onto the street, along with small utility brushes, like the Bathtub Brush (£20) and Washing Up Whisks (£6).
A roundup of spa-like baths we've admired recently, which are from members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Above: A lush view in Louisiana, by Lang Architecture.
Above: A San Francisco house by Envelope A+D gets a sense of the outside while maintaining privacy.
Above: Overlooking the seaside in Montauk, NY, by Bates Masi + Architects. Photograph by Michael Moran.
Above: A bath in San Francisco by Cary Bernstein Architect brings the spa feeling home with a wood-slatted shower tray.
Above: CCS Architecture looked to Japanese bath houses for inspiration when creating this Palo Alto, CA, bath.
Above: Stelle Architects' wood-lined sauna. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.
Above: A bath in Croatia by Steven Harris Architects.
Above: A bath in Los Angeles by Michaela Scherrer Interior Design.
Above: A concrete bath niche by Michaela Scherrer Interior Design.
Above: A seed pod as soap holder; via Michaela Scherrer Interior Design.
Above: Gustave Carlson Design plays up textures in a Palo Alto bath, placing a stone wall behind a sculptural tub.
Above: Deborah Berke & Partners Architects created a fount of calm in a New York City loft.
Long before Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood became the happening place to be, designer Joseph Foglia was creating notable spaces there.
Known for designing watering holes—New York magazine referenced him as a local designer "whose distinctive work you might know from Dressler"—Joseph Foglia began in construction, a background that has given him a great appreciation for materials. He relies upon upon a coterie of neighboring craftsmen and fabricators, whom he often commissions for restaurant designs with large budgets, but whom he can also turn to to give even a small project a special touch. "Unlike commercial spaces, homes are very intimate places," says Foglia. "I try to be a conduit and help clients articulate what it is that they are seeking in a space."
Above: Foglia's own home on Grand Street was once a dark warren of rooms. He replaced the floors with maple, opened up the space, and painted it white. The table is his own design, as are the black framed sculptures on the Nelson bench.
Above: The fireplace surround is covered in hand-troweled cement with a wax finish. A rustic wreath that was once a Christmas decoration has become a permanent installation.
Above : The credenza is a local find. Foglia often barters and trades with friends to procure art and other objects.
Above: His desk sits next to a white-washed brick fireplace.
Above: The Hope Street Residences is an 8-unit building that was renovated by Foglia. A kitchen in one unit features a wall finished with hand-troweled cement.
Above L: Foglia added custom shelving, building it into a post on the wall. Above R: A small kitchen features a butcher-block counter and simple stainless steel shelving from Ikea.
Nothing conjures relaxation like a long soak in a traditional clawfoot tub.
Our roundup of classic freestanding tubs (all come without fittings, unless otherwise noted) are equally at home in traditional and modern bathrooms.
Above: Victoria and Albert's Cheshire Bath is crafted of a composite material called Englishcast, a blend of volcanic limestone and resin that results in a naturally white tub. It doesn't have a surface coating that can chip or peel, and has better insulating qualities than traditional cast-iron tubs. With white feet and a chrome drain, it's $1,785 at Home and Stone (other options available).
Above: Made of a composite material that provides thermal insulation, the Waterworks Empire Freestanding Bathtub is $9,280 at Waterworks.
Above: Victoria and Albert's York Bathtub is made of Englishcast with a high-gloss finish; $2,027 at Quality Bath.
Above: White House designer Michael Smith created the Town Bathtub for Kallista; $13,350, available through showrooms that carry Kallista.
Above: The Aston Matthews Astonian Rimini Roll Top Cast Iron Double Ended Bath comes with a primed and paint-ready finish; currently £736 (usually £921) through Aston Matthews.
Above: The three-layer enamel-coated, cast-iron Beaumont Freestanding Oval Bathtub is available with iron scroll feet (shown) or traditional claw feet; prices start at $9,018 at Waterworks.
Above: Made of cast iron with a white porcelain interior and a white enameled exterior, the Piedmont Pedestal Soaking Tub has a rolled rim and slipper-style ends for comfortable soaking. It comes with a floor-mounted tub filler and telephone-style handheld shower; $7,795 at Restoration Hardware.
Above: Drummonds' cast-iron baths, made by hand using traditional techniques, can be ordered in four finishes: raw, primed, polished, or painted with a choice of Sophie Conran paint colors; prices for the Spey Tub start at £2,825.
Above: The Palais Pedestal Soaking Tub is made of cast iron, coated with white porcelain on the interior and white enamel on the exterior. It includes faucet, telephone-style handheld shower, and necessary fittings; $4,150 at Restoration Hardware.
Above: For a relatively affordable classic clawfoot tub, consider the Randolph Morris 72-Inch Classic Clawfoot Tub. Made with traditional porcelain over cast-iron construction, it's $1,199.95 at Vintage Tub.
Waterworks admirers take note: the company recently introduced the Studio Collection, a more moderately priced line of plumbing fixtures.
We especially like the Flyte line, featuring faucets made of brass and available in two finishes: chrome and nickel. The most newsworthy element of this streamlined collection is its appealing price: Most of the new Studio pieces cost about half as much as the other Waterworks lines.
Above: From Waterworks' new Studio Collection, the Flyte Low Profile Three Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet with Metal Cross Handles starts at $535.
Above: Waterworks' Flyte Low Profile One Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet with Metal Lever Handles; $630.
Above: Waterworks' Flyte Low Profile Three Hole Deck Mounted Lavatory Faucet with Metal Lever Handles starts at $530.
Perfect for small bath spaces: hotel-style towel shelves that double as towel warmers.
Above: Myson's Lekoro Classic Electric Towel Warmer in polished chrome is only 18 inches wide; $1,150.10 at eFaucets.
Above: The Lekoro features a back-lit on/off switch and comes with a five-year warranty. The rack needs to be hard-wired (the installation is not difficult, but requires an electrician).
Above: For a solution that does not require tapping into your wiring, the Luena Wall Mount Plug-In Towel Warmer Shelf, just over 22 inches, has a hollow steel frame that is filled with glycol; the liquid circulates through the rails when heated. It's $305.17 for the chrome finish at Signature Hardware.
